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Café Verde

Located on the “Off Colorado Blvd”, corridor of Green Street in Pasadena, Café Verde is small and intimate – nine tables that can seat no more than 20 people.

Everything about this restaurant qualifies as eclectic. The name is Spanish but the menu includes Italian, Chinese and American dishes. The ambiance has a bit of Paris, yet the walls are covered with the owner’s black and white photos of Southern California locales.

The food, however, no matter the ethnicity, is top notch. What’s not to like? The bison was so tender I thought I was eating filet mignon. The Chile Relleno is stuffed with chicken and mushrooms and draped with a white cream sauce. A house specialty is the seafood pasta with Chilean sea bass. Salads and soups are fresh, both served in small or large sizes. Desserts are homemade and change daily.

There is a wonderful selection of wine and beer from around the world. You can dine outside on a wonderful walkable street lined with mature trees. Café Verde serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.